TMNT Hunger Games (Featuring Your OCs)

Chapter 1: Reaping Day Pt. 1

Leonardo stares out his window, his knees hugged to his plastron as he waits for the sun to rise on Reaping Day. The familiar scent of the pine trees within District 7 serve as a sort of comfort to him.

A breath escapes his lips, his sapphire eyes flickering to his bed. Destiny, his girlfriend, remains curled up in the blankets, sound asleep. Her scarred face looks less troubled when she sleeps, less mean and ferocious.

The blue-masked turtle smiles weakly as he leaves his perch and crawls back into bed. He wraps his arms around her, nuzzling the beak of his nose into her neck as he breathes deeply. She stirs, her fluffy black tail brushing his legs.

"Leo?" she mumbles groggily.

"Sorry angel," he apologizes. "Didn't mean to wake you."

She rolls over, her wolf-like green eyes sparkling even in the dim lighting of the room. She rakes her claws through her tousled brown curls before she moves closer to him, resting a hand on his plastron as a sad smile crosses her lips.

"You were thinking about tomorrow?" she asks, although it seems more like a statement.

He shuts his eyes as he nods. "How could I not?"

She doesn't answer, her gaze falling. He hugs her against him, his heart thudding beneath her sensitive wolf ears.

"We've survived five years," she says softly. "Two more to go."

"It'll be two if we get by tomorrow," he corrects.

She cuddles against him even more, little to no space left between their bodies.

"Just...try to sleep. Splinter will notice in the morning if we don't," she murmurs, thinking of their considered father.

He shuts his eyes, nodding once more. There's a pause before he feels a slight pressure on his lips, a gentle kiss from the girl laying next to him.

"I love you," she reminds him.

"Love you too," he returns.

Leonardo breathes deeply, trying to calm himself down. They remain tangled in each other's arms, trying to sleep again.

Destiny is the first to drift off again, her breath warming a spot on his neck. He kisses the spot right between her wolf ears, shutting his eyes again as he feels himself growing heavier with sleep.

—————

The districts are almost silent, reverent of the death that is to come. Even the districts known for volunteering tributes seem quieter than usual. Everyone shuffles to their respective City Halls, dressed in the nicest clothes they own. Parents watch as their children are shuffled off to a separate section, their fingerprints being taken as they're herded into age groups like lambs being led to slaughter.

The twelve districts seem to hold their breath, waiting for their ceremonies to begin; waiting to see who will survive another year and who'll be forced to fight for that same thing.

Every ceremony seems to begin with the same thing. A Capitol-born announcer struts onto the stage, dressed in their typical attire and looking very out of place among the poverty of the various districts.

"Welcome, welcome, welcome," they chirp to the silent crowds. "Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favour." They clap, maybe let out a little giggle, but get no response from the watching people. "Now, before we begin, we have a very special message, brought to you all the way from the Capitol!"

A video plays, explaining the history of the Hunger Games; the rebellion, the peace, the loss of District 13, and the punishment for the rebels' actions.